Dear Friends,
There is no one moment that sticks in my head. The past three months
have been a culmination of moments that blend together into one of the
most poignant journeys of my life. While Tuesday may mark an end of
sorts for me, the voices of tens of thousands of people who shared with
me the touching “Love, Shirley Temple” tour will be never be buried in
the archives of my past. In fact, it will guide me for the remainder of
my life.
The recurring theme that I witnessed was love. Not just for a little
girl who continues to lift the spirits of so many with a magical wand of
sparkles and hope. It was a love that I felt was in a deep-rooted
appreciation of nostalgia, memories of a happy time past, and the joy of
living in a time when simplicity was all that was needed.
Shirley was not about special effects or shocking back-stories. Nor was
she trying to woo us with anything other than honesty. Shirley was
just herself. It will always be her “secret.” That is that she was
never trying. What we saw is what we got. It’s why the world still
looks to this little girl as a last link to a different time. In the
sometimes overwhelming stimuli of today she still represents the best
parts of all of us. I, for one, am now a better person for this
experience.
Tuesday is the end. But for you it is the beginning. For those who
wish to participate and become a steward to these objects it is, in
fact, the door opening. That is, these objects will become mementos
that you can tour yourself and teach and remind people of what she gave
to the world. So, while my tour may be at a close, yours is about to
start.
I know the recurring statement so well: “These pieces should be in a
museum." Yet, as I have tried to convey to all who expressed this
sentiment: “You are the museums.” Everyone who obtains any of these
pieces has not only the joy and pride of holding these objects for
themselves - but the ability to share and spread the story of Shirley
for generations.
You are the stewards to one of the greatest stories of the 20th century.
And, in the end, if a traditional museum is best served in your mind
with some of these objects - and your true hope is that eventuality - it
is people like you, the collectors, who can make this happen in the end
game of seeing them to their next location.
This is all Shirley ever hoped for. That her story will continue to be
told. That generations from now she will still serve as a beacon of
hope, cheer, and honesty. Most of all, as we know Shirley so well, she
would want you to have fun and enjoy this moment with her. Sing her
songs, smile her smile, and clutch close to you the objects that she
adored and felt should now be with you.
As Shirley said so well; “These tangible mementos were important, far
more than the event. Things to heft, feel and take away gave an air of
permanence to what happened.”
This is not the end. We are only just arriving at a junction. I am
honored and excited to pass the baton to all of you in knowing that
these pieces – pieces that have meant so much to me in my own personal
time with Shirley - will be in the most loving hands possible.
Warm regards,
Stuart Holbrook'
President, Theriault's
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